DC City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson on Monday wrote a letter to the Senate attempting to withdraw the district’s criminal reform legislation from congressional review after it became clear the Senate intended to nix the legislation.
“This morning, I delivered a letter to the Senate withdrawing the criminal code reform commission legislation,” Mendelson said during a news conference on Monday.
“It’s clear that Congress is intending to override that legislation and so my letter, just as I transmit bills for their review, withdraws from consideration the review.”
Senate leadership aides on both sides are trying to understand the implications of his attempted withdrawal.
Mendelson’s decision comes days before the Senate is set to vote to overturn the crime bill. Legislation to overturn the bill was expected to pass overwhelmingly and President Joe Biden had said he would not veto the effort.
“Pulling it back means the clock stops and would have to be retransmitted to both Houses and that this will enable the council to work on the measure in light of congressional comments and to retransmit,” Mendelson said.
Mendelson added that he has “not found precedent” for a DC council chairman withdrawing legislation that has already been submitted to Congress for review, but said he believes he has that authority since the DC Home Rule Act empowers the chairman with transmitting legislation to Congress.
“The Home Rule Act is very clear that I transmit and there is not a prohibition on my pulling it back,” Mendelson said. “This law will not go into effect because I have pulled it back.”
Still, Mendelson added that he is not certain that this step “will stop the Senate Republicans, but our position stands: The bill is not before Congress any longer.”
The upcoming vote has split Senate…
Read the full article here